Newsletter
NH gov backs legal cannabis in state stores (Newsletter: May 15, 2023)
Schumer: SAFE vote in “near future”; MN legalization conference committee; Congresswoman: Grow marijuana in Botanic Garden; Orgs push cannabis banking
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he hopes a marijuana banking bill will be scheduled for a committee vote “in the near future” and he is reiterating plans to attach “criminal justice provisions” when it comes to the floor.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) came out in support of legalizing marijuana through a system of state-run stores.
A Minnesota House and Senate conference committee held its first meeting to begin reconciling differences between the chambers’ marijuana legalization bills into a single proposal to send to the governor to be signed into law—as a new poll shows voter support for the reform.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) is calling on the U.S. Botanic Garden, which recently began displaying hemp, to also grow marijuana plants near the Capitol Building.
Several organizations—including the American Bankers Association and all 50 of its state affiliates, the Teamsters, the Independent Community Bankers of America and nine insurance groups—are calling on the Senate to pass a marijuana banking bill.
Missouri lawmakers sent Gov. Mike Parson (R) a bill to ease marijuana businesses’ access to banking services by letting state agencies share cannabis licensing and inspection information with financial institutions.
Montana lawmakers sent a mixed bag of marijuana reform bills to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s (R) desk this session—including ones to extend a moratorium on new businesses, change testing rules, increase license fees and restrict Delta-8 THC products.
/ FEDERAL
Five former directors of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy sent a letter urging leaders of the Senate Banking Committee to reject a marijuana banking bill.
The Drug Enforcement Administration issued the first license to grow whole psilocybin mushrooms to Ohio State University and Inner State Inc.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) suggested during a hearing that unregulated marijuana in her state is being laced with fentanyl.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “Legal cannabis businesses should be able to access the financial services they need! I’m working to finally get the SAFE Banking Act passed.”
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) tweeted, “When legal businesses are forced to operate in all cash, it opens the door to violent crime & fraud. Time to fix this issue for the benefit of MT banks, businesses & law enforcement.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) said cannabis legislation, including a banking bill, is “a wild card.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) was tapped by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to lead a task force focused on “neutralizing the Mexican drug cartels.”
The House marijuana banking bill got three new cosponsors for a total of 22.
The House bill to seal federal marijuana records got two new cosponsors for a total of seven.
/ STATES
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed a bill to allow medical cannabis companies to open an additional cultivation facility.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) signed a bill to decriminalize fentanyl test strips.
Colorado lawmakers sent Gov. Jared Polis (D) a bill to restrict hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader tweeted, “Prohibition is not working for our state. Let’s #LegalizeIt and make Wisconsin a safer place!”
The Ohio Senate General Government Committee held a hearing on a bill to expand the medical cannabis program.
The New York Assembly Standing Committee on Banks held a hearing on cannabis banking issues.
Illinois lawmakers are considering a cannabis omnibus bill that addresses issues including changes to craft grow canopy space, curbside pickup and transporting organizations.
A Pennsylvania senator pressed the state’s acting health secretary about regulators’ oversight of doctors who recommend medical cannabis at a hearing.
A spokesperson for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said the agency is “moving quickly” to prepare to launch the medical cannabis program “much earlier should the General Assembly decide to speed up its timeline.”
Oklahoma regulators took action against a suspected illicit marijuana cultivation operation.
Iowa’s Medical Cannabidiol Board postponed a Friday meeting due to “late notice quorum issues.”
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s health minister, who is running for prime minister, cast his vote in the election while wearing a marijuana-leaf shirt.
Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who now serves as senior deputy House speaker, filed a bill to legalize medical cannabis. Separately, a court dismissed a drug charge against a former senator who has been incarcerated for the past six years and who is an outspoken critic of the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”
The Amsterdam, Netherlands City Council voted to ban outdoor marijuana smoking in the red light district.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “numerous studies listed in the literature indicate that CBD possesses a significant capacity to modulate mammalian tissue to attenuate and reverse the notorious hallmarks of chronic musculoskeletal disorders.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Oregon voters support reinstating criminal penalties for drug possession, 63 percent to 33 percent.
An American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson authored an op-ed expressing concerns about the marketing of marijuana to children.
The Boston Herald editorial board is urging states to slow down in considering legalizing marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Schwazze is acquiring certain assets of Cannabis Care Wellness Centers, LLC and Green Medicals Wellness Center #5, LLC.
Jushi Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $69.9 million and a net loss of $12.4 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $17 million and a net loss of $2.9 million.
Lowell Farms Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $7.5 million and a net loss of $4 million.
Canopy Growth Corporation plans to refile some financial statements after identifying “material misstatements” it made.
/ CULTURE
2 Chainz and Sarah Silverman went shopping for marijuana for an episode of Vice’s “Most Expensivest.”
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